Winter Operations Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What is the City’s winter operations plan?

The City of Cincinnati is geared up for the 2006 - 2007 Winter Season.  The 2006 - 2007 Winter Operations Program focuses on using a systematic approach for treating streets with a goal of having streets treated and safe for travel within 24 hours of the end of an ordinary snowfall.   The operational plans used by the City are based on the efficient routing of snow treating equipment.  This equipment is deployed using weather predictions provided by local television networks and a variety of local and national weather forecasting services.

2.  What is new to the program this year?

New to the program this year is Operation Snow, that will be implemented by the City Manager anytime a winter storm is forecasted to affect rush hour traffic.  Under Operation Snow, the City Manager will advise area employers and schools of the potential for significant travel delays and ask that consideration be given to a voluntary early dismissal.  This will help get cars off the roadway during critical snow treatment operations.  Operation Snow will rely upon the most recent temperature trends, a variety of local and national weather forecasting services, and the use of an extensive notification list to provide this warning in advance of an approaching storm.

3.  How does the City develop a winter operations plan?
 
The City will assess road conditions from local forecasts, internet weather sites, and professional weather services to form an operations plan to provide service for each storm.  Every snow storm is different, and the planning for each storm requires taking many factors into account, including snow accumulation predictions and also temperatures before, during, and immediately following the end of the snowfall.  These factors will drive the planning process for providing service.

4.  How will you keep the public informed about street conditions?

The Department of Public Services is utilizing every means possible to improve communications to better inform the public.  As always, the City partners with the news media to keep citizens informed.  In addition to the news media and this web page, you can receive updates through:

• The City’s 24-Hour Customer Service Line at 591-6000
• City Press Releases

5.  How can I help the City with its snow removal plan?

The City of Cincinnati places a high priority on keeping our street network safe and useable during the winter season.  You can help improve the safety of the City by exercising extreme caution when snowfall begins, by shoveling their sidewalks, and limiting travel as much as possible during extreme winter snow events.  The partnership between dedicated City employees and the citizens they serve is essential to a successful winter season.  

6.  If my car gets towed because of a snow emergency, what number do
     I call to find out where it is and how to get it back? 

If a snow emergency is declared, citizens are given adequate time to move their cars from posted snow emergency routes before any tickets are issued or vehicles towed.  In order to get information about where your vehicle is towed, you will need to contact the Cincinnati Police District Office that patrols the location where your car was parked.  You will be responsible for the costs of any violations.

7.  What methods does the City use to treat ice- or snow-covered
     streets?

The City uses three treatment methods when addressing snow accumulation.  Anti-icing is a pre-treatment product (salt or salt brine) used on the streets to prevent snow or ice from binding to roadways.  De-icing occurs by using calcium chloride and salt on streets during the storm to melt snow or ice precipitation.  Finally, plowing uses snow equipment to remove higher accumulations of snow before using de-icing products.  Plowing may leave rows or ridges of snow in front of driveways and is the slowest treatment process.

8.  My street has been treated, but it is still not passable without a lot
     of difficulty.  What should I do?

Several elements increase the melting action of the salt including sun, heat from the tires of vehicles, and time.  The process is actually helped by traffic moving carefully on the street.  Use your winter driving skills to maneuver on streets that are treated and the salt will do its job.  Allow extra time and drive carefully.

9.  When do you plow the streets to make them passable?

There is a flexible standard of plowing streets when snow accumulation reaches four (4) inches and additional accumulation is expected.  There are other factors to consider before we include plowing in our snow removal plan, such as temperatures before, during and right after the snowfall as well as the amount of additional snowfall that is expected.  Plowing slows down our operation because the trucks must plow at 15 mph.  Managers determine whether plowing will increase the efficiency of the overall operation for each snow event.